Question: There are two papers by Christopher Kagan et al on researchgate.net reporting on use of non-prescription antiviral Lysine. Results are highly positive with coronavirus being cured in several hours. Wouldn’t this be far superior to any vaccine? Please comment.

Answer: I found the two manuscripts you reference (here and here).  One is about Lysine* for COVID treatment and the other is about Lysine for COVID prevention.  Neither manuscript has been peer reviewed.  Both studies are exceptionally small (~140 participants in treatment study and 30 participants in prevention study); it’s unclear whether any ethical approval (institutional review board) was obtained; study methodologies are poorly defined; and based on the descriptions provided, study methodologies are weak.  For example, the prevention study consisted of a group of 30 healthcare workers who took Lysine as a supplement and did not contract COVID– an observation and association with no evidence of causation. Neither of these studies offers anything near definitive proof that Lysine is effective for COVID treatment or prevention. Even the authors conclude, “our hope is that these findings will encourage those in a position to perform follow-up studies.”  And that is absolutely what is called for– rigorous safety and efficacy testing.  Finally, it is always preferable to prevent disease (as a vaccine does) than to treat a disease.  So even if rigorous safety and efficacy studies found Lysine (or any other biomedical advance) to be a fantastic treatment, we’d still want wide-scale vaccination campaigns to limit our need for the treatment.

*For readers wondering what Lysine is, Mount Sinai offers a helpful description: “Lysine, or L-lysine, is an essential amino acid, meaning it is necessary for human health, but the body cannot make it. You have to get lysine from food or supplements. Amino acids like lysine are the building blocks of protein. Lysine is important for proper growth, and it plays an essential role in the production of carnitine, a nutrient responsible for converting fatty acids into energy and helping lower cholesterol. Lysine appears to help the body absorb calcium, and it plays an important role in the formation of collagen, a substance important for bones and connective tissues including skin, tendons, and cartilage. Most people get enough lysine in their diet. Although athletes, burn patients, and vegans who do not eat beans may need more.” Mount Sinai also describes uses and strength of the evidence supporting such uses.